In 2006, I tested a widely promoted explosive detector called Sniffex. This may be the only double blind test of Sniffex on the internet. Operated by the president and vice president of the company, Sniffex failed every one of my tests. The company had no explanation and made no changes in ads or promotions.
In my opinion, this lack of action is extremely dangerous and irresponsible. If you are considering using Sniffex explosive detectors, you should read this article.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Another test with with smokeless powder and four 9mm. cartridges and a story about Folsom Prison

Mr. Johnson, puzzled that he could not detect the gun powder sample, asked me to place four 9mm. cartridges (which he calls "bullets" in the video) under one of the envelopes for a quick retest. He only wanted to work with three envelopes. After explaining that this was too easy a test because of the small number of envelopes, I placed the four 9mm. cartridges, as requested, along with an ounce of the smokeless powder in one of three envelopes. These were the same "bullets" that Mr. Griesser had used to demonstrate Sniffex earlier in the exhibit room (see video #2 above). The other two envelopes contained table salt. The envelopes were spaced, as you can see, about 10 feet apart. I offered to move or relocate the samples any way the Sniffex users wanted to. Again, even with only three samples to choose from, and despite both users getting the same clear indication (middle envelope) they selected the wrong envelope.

At the same time as Mr. White was trying to locate the explosive with the Sniffex, you can hear Mr. Johnson telling me about a previous demonstration. He said that Mr. White had found a single ammunition cartridge (bullet) in an entire ward of Folsom Prison during a demonstration they gave to a warden's meeting. Mr. Johnson could not explain why that had worked but here, Sniffex seemed to fail each test.

In the last videos below, you will see how Sniffex fails again, using two different instruments operated respectively by the president and vice president of the company and using more than 90 grams of smokeless powder-- a substantial and dangerous amount.